A free Electrocardiogram (ECG) screening session has been arranged for 14-35 year-olds in memory of the late Jenny Bucknell, pictured below, who swam with the Monnow club for over 11 years and was also a swim teacher and life guard at the Monmouth complex. She rowed at Ross, Llandaff and Cardiff University.

Jenny was apparently fit and healthy, very sporty - swimming and rowing at University- and was just about to graduate as a Doctor from Cardiff University, when at just 23 she literally dropped dead from an undiagnosed heart condition.

Sadly 80 per cent of those affected have no symptoms, the first anyone knows is when they die (sudden adult death syndrome SADS). Since then moey has been raised for CRY, in Jenny’s memory, to help prevent other families being devastated as Jenny’s have. If abnormalities are picked up they can be treated.

The Dr Jenny Bucknell Memorial Fund and CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) have raised money to pay for this screening as well as two ECG machines and would like to encourage everyone between 14-35 to utilise the free testing, all you have to do is book an appointment on line, go to www.testmyheart.org and click on “Book Appointment”. Then scroll down to “The Grange School” and pick the 28th or 29th October 2015 . Click on this and you will be taken to the booking page and attend.

CRY’s mission is to identify those that are at risk from sudden cardiac death. Sudden Death Syndrome is an umbrella term used for the many different types of cardiac arrest in young people. These conditions include the thickening or abnormal structure of the heart and irregularities of the impulses that upset the natural rhythm of the heart. Sporty youngsters stress their heart the most. If they have an underlying cardiac abnormality, they are more likely to be at risk. It is important to stress that exercise is not bad for you and sport itself does not lead to cardiac arrest, but it can act as a trigger for a young person to die suddenly by exacerbating an undetected condition.

At a screening, your son/ daughter will receive an ECG that examines the electrical activity of the heart and if required an echocardiogram (ECHO) and physical examination. It is a non-invasive procedure that will take no more than 10 minutes to complete and is performed by qualified cardiac physiologists.

The ECG results will be examined and some individuals will be required to undertake a follow-up echocardiogram (ECHO). This is an ultrasound scan of the heart that looks at its size, structure and blood flow. All results suggesting an abnormality will then be sent to CRY’s consultant cardiologist Professor Sanjay Sharma, a leading expert on inherited cardiac conditions.

If you would like any additional information on screening you can watch a video of CRY Patron David Walliams being tested at www.c-r-y.org.uk/philips.htm. Alternatively, please go to www.c-r-y.org.uk or contact a member of the CRY screening team on 01737 363222.